CHAMBERSBURG -The Franklin County Fair celebrated its 60th anniversary this past week with many events, visitors and food.
“Everyone is excited to be here for the 60th annual fair and make history this year with the opening of a new Livestock Barn and Show Ring,” Fair President Brett Reichard said. “With the addition of the barn and show ring, the fair is able to provide more opportunities for our youth exhibitors.”
Event Winners
Laine Hess won the 2025-2026 Fair Queen. Following Hess, Arielle Andrews became the Fair Princess; Kynsee Coons is the Fair Little Miss. Additionally, the Fair Queen Alt is Kamea Pierce. The Fair Princess Alt for 2025-2026 is Delaney Carbaugh, while the Fair Little Miss Alt is Isabella Pierce.
Kayleigh Hartman won the Youth Dairy Supreme Champion, and there were many 4-H contests with winners.
These include: 4-H Steer Grand Champion, Hannah Brenize; 4-H Steer Reserve Champion, Lane Brenize; 4-H Grand Showman, Lexi Carter; 4-H Goat Grand Champion, Hannah Brenize; 4-H Lamb Grand Champion, Zoe Knoll; 4-H Breeding Beef Grand Champion, Lexi Carter; and 4-H Breeding Beef Reserved Champion, Iva Mummert.
Promoting agriculture
Located in Chambersburg, the fair is attended by many each summer alongside board members whose missions are to promote and support local agriculture.
“We exist to promote our county’s agriculture industry and educate the public on its importance,” Reichard said. “We just hope to continue growing and gaining the community’s support to be here for at least another 60 years.”
Fair Events
The fair began on Saturday, July 5, with just one event at 1:30 p.m., the Franklin County Fair Horse Show. Sunday was the day for drop-off exhibits; this was held from 1 until 5 p.m., and at 7 p.m., the 50th Annual Vespers Service was held. The service is held every Sunday before the beginning of fair week, and it is a community gathering for blessings upon one another.
“This year, we were honored to have Pastor Bruce Ward from Antrim Brethren in Christ deliver a short sermon, and Grand Point Church provided their amazing worship team for music,” Reichard said.
Upon entering the fair, scavenger hunts were given to show visitors around. Additionally, 50-50 raffle tickets were distributed with a chance to win a $500 Visa gift card. The winner was announced on Saturday.
Many events took place between July 7-12. On Monday, there was a Youth Day. Featured, also, was the Franklin County Fair Little Miss Contest, Shane the Balloon Guy & Magician, Franklin County Fair Princess Contest and Franklin County Fair Queen Contest.
Though there were events throughout the duration of the week, the fair provided a leisurely environment for families to attend, as there were many places for food, drinks and entertainment. Some of the treats offered were: lemonade, caramel apples, cotton candy, funnel cake, kettle corn, barbeque foods, Auntie Anne’s, Lotus Bowls and Juicery and additional concession stands.
Tuesday featured events — primarily in regard to food and animals, and some of the events included the Franklin County Youth Dairy Show and 4-H Beef Show, Baked Goods Sale and Kids’ Pedal Pull.
On Wednesday, the fair was rained out; “Antique Tractor Pull and Brushfire and band entertainment were canceled,” Reichard said. “It’s unfortunate, but no one can control the weather. Heat is always a factor, but it is the middle of summer in July, so heat is to be expected.”
Thursday highlighted events such as Senior Day, Open Dairy Show Color Breeds and the Garden Tractor Pull.
Live music was also featured. On Tuesday, Chris Woodward and Shindiggin’ performed as both local artists and a band who do covers of country music. On Thursday, Conrad Fisher played; Fisher was “a new addition” to the Franklin County Fair, and he is from Pennsylvania.
Friday – the biggest day of the fair – was full of events. Some of them included the Franklin County 4-H Breeding Beef Show; Open Breeding Beef; Open Steer, Karaoke Contest and the Youth Dairy Showmanship Contest. The biggest event of the night, which happened at 6:30 p.m., was the Interstate Truck and Tractor Pull. The event showcased tractors – attached to a sled – to see how far they can pull it without getting stuck.
The final day of the fair concluded with events such as the Barnyard Olympics, Children’s Attractions Open Agriculture Knowledge Bowl Contest, Youth Animal Dress Up Contest, Kickin’ It Classy Line Dancing and Bullride Mania.
History of the Franklin County Fair
According to the Franklin County Fair’s website, the fair has existed since 1854 when it was considered the Franklin County Agricultural Fair, and it was organized by the Agricultural Society of Franklin County. Fourteen years later, Franklin County Farmers and Mechanics Association overtook the previous organization and renamed it the Franklin County Fair.
After the 1880s, the fair stopped running for decades. Nevertheless, in 1914, it ran again; this time, it was referred to as the Picnic. Until 1930, the Picnic existed, but then Sportsmen’s Clubs began forming to host carnivals in order to raise money.
In 1961, the 4-H Dairy Clubs held round-ups and, eventually, a dairy barn was built in 1962 at the location of today’s fair. The Franklin County Fair has been consistently running since 1965.
“Our fair board members, volunteers, exhibitors and everyone work hard to keep the fair going and provide the opportunities for the youth and community that we do,” Reichard said. “A big thank you to all those who do support us; we have a great list of sponsors that support the fair and have supported the construction of our new livestock barn and show ring.”
“We wouldn’t be able to host the Franklin County Fair without any of them,” Reichard said.
